Aston Villa desperate to keep Benteke

Aston Villa have no plans to cash in on key forward Christian Benteke in the summer, even if a £30million bid is received.

Benteke joined Villa from Belgian side Genk last summer in a £7million deal and has been a revelation for the Premier League strugglers with 22 goals to date, including a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Sunderland on Monday.

A host of Europe’s top sides have been linked with the Belgium international, including Spurs, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Villa are keen to keep hold of the 22-year-old, who signed a three-year deal when he made the switch to Villa Park, and plan to offer Benteke a contract extension in the summer.

The Birmingham Mail have suggested that chairman Randy Lerner will resist offers of up to £30million for the forward and it seems as if the club have no intention of allowing the forward to depart when the transfer window reopens.